Collapsible bed frames



Oct ,1956 J. SHAPIRO 2,768,391

COLLAPSIBLE BED FRAMES Filed Nov. 12, 1952 h, ll II, n". "Hm n. ""n. IIHIHH' I 1.9 I

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IN V EN TOR. JOJEP/l JIAP/R 0 I BY Arrow/5 United States Patent COLLAPSIBLE BED FRAMES Joseph Shapiro, Shrub Oak, N Y.

Application November 12, 1952, Serial No. 319,884 3 Claims; (CL 5 -202) The invention relates to bed frames; and in particular is directed to an improved collapsible form thereof.

It has been proposed heretofore to provide collapsible bed frames which maybe erected in the household so as to support a bed spring: and the mattress. Such bed frames are primarily adapted for adjustment in width so that they will accommodate springs of various widths, as. for example, in the ranges from cot size to double bed size. Such frames basically comprise two longitudinally extending sections each having cross members pivoted swingably connected thereto. The Width of theer'ected structure is controlled by the adjustment of a pair of joined cross members. In all the structures of the foregoing type as heretofore: proposed, it has been necessary to use screws, and nuts in. order to bring about the erection thereof. Since man-y householders are not too-adept with the use of tools, and women ofttimes'are lacking. adequatephysical strength fully to tighten nuts and bolts or drive screw drivers with sufficient force to accomplish requisite tightening of the structure, the assemblage of such prior structures is frequently unsteady.

I have conceived of a means whereby the disadvantages inherent in the afore-described devices may be overcome by providing a structure which is collapsible, and which may be readily assembled in the household without recourse to nuts and bolts and the use of tools to accomplish the same.

Accordingly, it is one of the primary objects of this invention to provide a collapsible bed frame which may be readily folded or collapsed to produce a compact unit of extremely small compass for convenient storage and shipping purposes and which may be readily set up as a sturdy and rigidly assembled structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a collapsible bed frame of the character 'afore-described wherein the transverse members are relatively adjustable in order to accommodate bed springs of varying size and the adjustment of the width of which may be readily achieved.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a collapsible bed frame of the character described having legs mounted in a simple and novel manner for pivotable movement in a horizontal plane with respect to the longitudinal frame members, and so related to the longitudinal frame members as to effectively support the bed frame without requiring the use of auxiliary brace members or the like.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a collapsible bed frame of the character described which may be fabricated easily and inexpensively and which is featured by excellent durability and ease of assemblage.

The foregoing objects, as well as additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the more detailed description thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible bed frame incorporating the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating the 2,768 ,391 Patented Oct 30, 1956 manner of mounting the l'eg'members for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane with respect to the longitudinal frame members.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in greater detail, the bed frame includes a pair of longitu= dinal frame members 10 which are preferably constructed of angle iron. The leg members 11 are preferably channel-shaped and are each provided at their upper end with a pair of horizontal lateral flanges 1'2 and 12a. The lateral flange 12 of each leg 11 is pivoted as at 13 to the longitudinal frame member 10. A lockingtongue as at 14 is struck downwardly from the longitudinal frame member, such locking member being adapted to receive the lateral flange 12a of an associate leg member 11 in the said up position thereof as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The side walls of each channel-shaped leg member 11 may be provided at their lower ends with a pair of inwardly extending flanges 15 thereby providing reinforcing support for the transverse frame member 16, there being four of such transverse members in the completed bed frame. The transverse members 16 may be welded, brazed or otherwise secured to the leg members 11. As illustrated, the transverse members 16 are preferably constructed of angle iron. 7

In setting up the bed frame to its assembled operative condition 'as illustrated in Fig. l, the described arrangement permits both of the leg members 11 mounted on a longitudinal frame member 10' to be swung outwardly about their. respective pivots 13 in a horizontal plane until each lateral flange 12a thereof is r'eleasably but snugly engaged by a respective locking tongue 14 of said longitudinal frame member. a

The completed bed frame assembly consists of'two complementary units, each comprising one longitudinal frame member 10, a pair of leg members 11 pivoted to said longitudinal frame member, and a pair of transverse frame members 16 each secured to one'of the aforedescribed leg members. In order to complete the as 'sembly of the bed frame after leg members 11 together with their respective transverse frame members 16 have been swung outwardly to the position of Fig. l, the free ends of said transverse frame members are overlapped to the requisite extent desired so as to achieve a spacing of the longitudinal frame members adequate to support a bed spring of the selected size. There are further provided means for releasably clamping or interconnecting the overlapped members 16. Said means may take the form of a clamping member 17 slidable upon and enclosing the transverse members and carrying one or more fastening elements such as thumbscrews 18 for securing the clamping member and the transverse member in locked position at the desired point. Any other suitable arrangement may be employed for interengaging the overlapped ends of the transverse frame members 16. For example, one of said members may be slotted for the reception of a fastening element carried by the other of said members.

In order to collapse the bed frame, the clamping members 17 are first released so that the overlapped ends of the transverse members 16 may be separated. After that has been accomplished the legs 11 carrying the transverse members 16 are swung inwardly about their pivots 13 thereby withdrawing the lateral brackets 12a from their respective locking tongues 14, and finally causing a related pair of transverse members 16 to lie overlapped in compact condition substantially parallel to the longitudinal frame member 10.

Brackets 19 may be secured to the longitudinal frame members 10 in any suitable manner as by welding or rivets, for the purpose of supporting a headboard (shown in phantom).

It will be apparent now that a number of considerable advantages are inherent in the structure and arrangement of the bed frame. The novel feature of mounting the legs 11 for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane relative to the longitudinal frame member carrying the same, combined with the provision of the locking tongues 14 results in a sturdy and rigid support of the bed frame in its assembled condition with minimum stress on the pivot members 13 and without requiring auxiliary brace members or supports for the legs. Furthermore the lateral flanges 12 and 12a act as horizontal weight-bearing surfaces which not only serve effectively and sturdily to sustain the Weight of the bed frame, the bed springs, the mattress, bed linens, and the occupant but also prevent angular twisting or collapse of the legs.

It will be apparent that modifications may be made in the structure of this invention without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, it will be understood that the foregoing description of the invention and the embodiment shown are merely illustrative of the principles thereof; and therefore that the appended claims are to be construed as defining the invention within the full spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible bed frame comprising a pair of longitudinal frame members, a pair of channel-shaped leg members associated with each of said longitudinal frame members for swingable movement in a horizontal plane relative thereto, each of said legs members having a pair of horizontally extending lateral flanges at the upper end thereof, one of said flanges being pivoted to the underside of said longitudinal frame member, an integral locking tongue struck downwardly from said longitudinal frame members adjacent each end thereof for retaining the other of said lateral flanges in the operative position of said leg members, a transverse frame member carried by each of said leg members and having a free inner end and means for releasably interengaging the overlapped free ends of said transverse frame members.

2. A collapsible bed frame comprising a pair of longitudinal frame members, a pair of channel-shaped leg members associated with each of said longitudinal frame members for swingable movement in a horizontal plane relative thereto, each of said leg members having a pair of horizontally extending lateral flanges at the upper end thereof, one of said flanges being pivoted to the underside of said longitudinal frame member, an integral locking tongue struck downwardly from said longitudinal frame members adjacent each end thereof for retaining the other of said lateral flanges in the operative position of said leg member, a transverse frame member carried by each of said leg members and having a free inner end, the side walls of said channel-shaped leg members having inwardly extending flanges for supporting a respective transverse frame member, and means for releasably inter-engaging the overlapped free ends of said transverse frame members.

3. In a collapsible bed frame, a longitudinal frame member, a channel-shaped leg member having a pair of horizontally extending lateral flanges at the upper end thereof, one of said flanges being pivoted to the underside of said longitudinal frame member, and an integral locking tongue struck downwardly from said longitudinal frame member for retaining the other of said lateral flanges in the operative position of said leg member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,487,974 Prouty Mar. 25, 1924 1,724,457 Cummings Aug. 13, 1929 2,567,619 Rosenfeld Sept. 11, 1951 2,607,051 Jackson Aug. 19, 1952 2,611,907 Clerc Sept. 30, 1952 2,683,266 Baldwin July 13, 1954 

